2021 Dodge Charger vs 2022 Subaru WRX

The 2021 Dodge Charger, in its seventh generation since 2011, continued to captivate buyers with its array of variants, including the top-tier SRT Hellcat Redeye. Despite the subtle differences between models, the Charger maintained a consistent design, appealing to the "brotherhood of muscle" with its widebody options and distinctive Hellcat badging. The car's exterior featured a range of tire, wheel, brake, and color options, with halogen projector headlights and optional HID projector lights. However, the design had remained largely unchanged for a decade, making it difficult for casual observers to determine the model's age.

Inside, the Charger had seen updates over the years, but it still lacked in comfort and convenience features. The fit and finish had improved, yet the gauge cluster and climate controls revealed the car's age. The interior was characterized by hard plastic and rubberized surfaces, with cloth seats standard on most trims and Nappa leather on higher trims. While the Charger offered heated and ventilated seats in more expensive models, the overall interior quality fell short of expectations for a car priced upwards of $70,000.

The 2022 Subaru WRX, on the other hand, presented a more subtle exterior design, with a wider stance and a signature hood scoop. The front fascia featured a small hexagonal grille and sharp LED headlights, while the side profile was less busy, with black plastic cladding designed to improve aerodynamics. The rear fenders flared outward, and the taillights had a multifaceted design. The WRX's overall look was smoother and more streamlined, though the cladding could be distracting on brightly colored models. The Premium-trim tester included LED fog lights, 18-inch alloy wheels, and a trunk-mounted lip spoiler.

Inside, the WRX saw significant improvements in fit and finish, with a D-shaped steering wheel, aluminum-alloy pedal covers, carbon-fiber-pattern trim accents, and black cloth seats with red contrast stitching. The interior borrowed elements from other Subaru models but felt more modern and well-appointed. The WRX's interior was a marked improvement over its predecessor, offering a more refined and comfortable driving experience.

The 2021 Dodge Charger excelled in performance, offering a range of powertrains to suit different preferences. The SXT, SXT AWD, GT, and GT AWD models were powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering up to 300 horsepower and 264 pound-feet of torque. The Charger R/T featured a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine with 370 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque, providing a 1,000-pound towing capacity. The Charger Scat Pack models boasted a 6.4-liter HEMI V8 engine with 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque.

The SRT Hellcat variant came with a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 engine, producing 717 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. The top-of-the-line SRT Hellcat Redeye had a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI high-output V8 engine, delivering an impressive 797 hp and 707 lb-ft of torque. Despite its power, the Redeye's powertrain was manageable and versatile, though it was the least fuel-efficient, with an EPA-estimated 12 mpg in the city, 21 mpg on the highway, and 15 mpg combined. The Charger offered a connected driving experience with configurable drive modes and Performance Pages for SRT models, though the automatic transmission could be clunky during downshifts.

The 2022 Subaru WRX featured a new 2.4-liter turbocharged Boxer engine, replacing the previous 2.0-liter turbo. The new engine produced 271 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, a slight improvement over the outgoing model. The WRX came standard with all-wheel drive and offered a choice between a six-speed manual transmission and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The CVT, dubbed the Subaru Performance Transmission, provided faster upshifts and downshifts compared to the previous generation.

The manual transmission was a delight to drive, with notchy and precise shifts and a satisfying clutch pedal. The WRX's suspension, mounted on the Subaru Global Platform, offered a more forgiving ride quality and reduced body roll in corners. The new platform and suspension tuning made the WRX feel more stable and composed, even on rough roads. The GT trim, available only with the CVT, featured Recaro seats, electronically controlled dampers, and a Drive Mode Select system with multiple settings.

The 2021 Dodge Charger, a four-door, five-passenger sedan, balanced speed and power with practicality. The spacious back seat and comfortable accommodations made it a viable family car. The instrument cluster varied by model, with different speedometer versions based on the car's top speed. The steering wheel was functional, with easy-to-reach buttons and paddle shifters on all but the base model. The 60/40 split-folding rear seat expanded the trunk space, which was average compared to other large cars.

The 2022 Subaru WRX offered practicality at its price point, with a cargo capacity increase from 12 to 12.5 cubic feet and a 60/40 split-fold rear seat for additional storage. The sport seats were comfortable and supportive, with premium cloth materials in the base and Premium trims and Ultrasuede in the Limited and GT trims. The seats provided ample bolstering without feeling tight, making the WRX a viable commuter vehicle. The standard all-wheel drive added to the car's practicality, making it a standout option in its price range.

The 2021 Dodge Charger came with basic standard features, including push-button start, a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, a six-speaker audio system, four USB ports, Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, satellite radio, keyless entry, and a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen. Available features included a sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, an 8.4-inch touchscreen, upgraded audio systems, HD Radio, navigation, and a WiFi hotspot. The Uconnect infotainment system was user-friendly but had some functions buried in menus. The latest version of Uconnect was not yet available on the Charger.

The 2022 Subaru WRX featured an 11.6-inch tablet-style touchscreen display in premium-trim and higher models, with physical controls for climate, power, volume, tuning, and defrost functions. The system had quirks, particularly with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, but was visually impressive. The base-trim WRX had a unique setup with two 7-inch displays stacked vertically. An 11-speaker Harmon Kardon stereo system was available, providing excellent audio quality.

The 2021 Dodge Charger had not been crash-tested by the IIHS, but the 2020 model received mostly "Good" ratings and "Poor" marks for headlights. The NHTSA gave the 2021 Charger a four-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included brake assist, electronic stability control, hill start assist, rear park assist, rain brake support, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and automatic headlights were available on some models.

The 2022 Subaru WRX's safety features varied by transmission. CVT-equipped models came with Subaru's EyeSight suite, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-tracing assist. The system also added an electronic brake booster and automatic steering assist. Manual WRX models did not have EyeSight due to the risk of stalling during panic stops. Blind-spot monitoring, lane-change assist, and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on the Limited and GT trims. The Subaru Global Platform improved crash energy absorption, and the WRX came with seven airbags, including a driver's knee airbag.